Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled plans for a brand new T20 tournament, adding another string to the bow of the cricket-mad nation. This fresh competition comes hot on the heels of the established Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and hopes are high that it will address a persistent weakness in Bangladeshi cricket – the T20 format.
The format of the new NCL T20 will see eight teams compete in a round-robin format, ensuring each team gets a taste of the competition against every other side. This translates to a minimum of seven matches for each team, with the finalists going on to play an eighth match. In total, the tournament will see 29 matches played, offering a significant boost to the T20 experience of Bangladeshi cricketers.
The Tigers have yet to truly master the short-form game. Experts believe a lack of competitive exposure is a key factor. Currently, Bangladeshi cricketers only have the BPL to hone their T20 skills, and with national team players featuring prominently in that tournament, the opportunities for fringe and developing players are limited.
This additional T20 tournament, spearheaded by BCB's Chief Coordinator of Program Minhajul Abedin Nannu, aims to bridge this gap and provide a platform for local cricketers to gain valuable T20 experience.
Speaking to the media, Nannu outlined the tournament's timeframe, stating, "We're juggling a number of things at the moment – the high-performance training programme, the Tigers' schedule, and ongoing work on the National Cricket League (NCL). However, we're pleased to announce that the NCL T20 will be held from December 5th to 17th. It's all coming together nicely."
